HANAPEPE — “If it wasn’t for all these people, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Val Willman, a cancer survivor, Saturday at the Hanapepe soccer fields. “Thank you. Thank you.” Hundreds of people converged at the soccer fields for the
HANAPEPE — “If it wasn’t for all these people, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Val Willman, a cancer survivor, Saturday at the Hanapepe soccer fields. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Hundreds of people converged at the soccer fields for the 2014 American Cancer Society Relay for Life where people have an opportunity to celebrate victories over cancer, remember those who lost the battle, and help fight the disease which affects countless others.
“I’m really happy to be here,” a survivor anchoring the “Survivors” banner said. “I didn’t think it would happen to me. My family has no history of cancer, but they found it and I’m here.”
Diane Rodrigues, who co-captained the Team West 50 “Incredibles” group with Elena Hamm said they have lost 17 people in their family to cancer, including Rodrigues’ dog.
“We have survivors, too,” Rodrigues said. “June Kamakele and Julie Alvarez. The ‘i’ is for ‘incredible.’ Life is incredible and fighting cancer is a family affair for us.”
The family fight joins more than 4 million people in 20 countries who raise funds and spread awareness to save lives from cancer through Relay for Life.
The Hanapepe Relay for Life was the first task for Patti Ornellas whose family anchored the Fely’s Angels tent.
“Fely is our mother who died of cancer seven years ago,” Patti, recently appointed the American Cancer Society Staff Partner, said. “My husband Jordon’s mom and brother also died from cancer — in the same year, his mom going in February 1990, and his brother in May.”
But the event, which started Saturday night and will go to 6 this morning, was also for celebrating the survivors.
“We have a multi-survivor, Tish Weaver,” Patti said. “Tonight, we’re focusing on the survivors and their achievements in overcoming cancer. As the ACS staff partner, I’ll be at all the relays, including the Bark for Life which will be held at Kilohana Plantation on June 7, and the North Shore Relay which will be held at the field at the Kauai Christian Academy in Kilauea on Aug. 15.”
Gail Thompson, the Leadership Class advisor and teacher from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, wiped tears from her eyes as the survivors trooped by to continuous applause from supporters.
“We don’t have a camp, but we’re here to walk a couple of laps, or as long as we’re able to,” Thompson said. “We raised some money and will raise more as we walk.”
Sakiko Okihara, 91, and Veronica Carillio, 70, both donned “Survivor” sashes.
“We’re survivors. Sakiko going to be 92 next month, and recently during the Senior All-Star event at the convention hall, we were two of just four people who do 200-plus hours of volunteering,” Carillio said. “We just keep on going.”
